“We the People of Christ Lutheran Church Are a Welcoming Community Seeking to Grow Faithful and Transformed Members, Who Serve in God’s World with Love.”

We believe that our welcoming friendliness is one of Christ Lutheran Church’s distinguishing characteristics.  Whether you are a long time resident of our community, a newcomer, or an occasional guest, you are invited to become a part of our extended Christian family.  Come to worship; visit one of our educational or social offerings; participate in a musical group; or find a place to serve.  Come find your spiritual home at Christ Lutheran Church  in Marine on St. Croix.

Our history...

140 years ago, the Swedish settlers who chose Marine Mills as their  home started a church with the mission belief “...to at last come here to unite ourselves in God’s name.” 

In 1872, eighty-one people gathered  to begin a church congregation for themselves and the generations that followed. They built a church, paying $540 for lumber and $348.12 for labor. The site they chose sat on top of a hill, overlooking the St. Croix River and its Valley, so the community could follow the light from the steeple tower. 

The church mission written in Swedish translates into the needs of today’s generation…“As most of us have considered that such a step is necessary for the welfare of Christ’s kingdom and our own souls’ welfare…”

Today the light of the steeple tower continues to shine. Old and young worship together in a remodeled handicap-accessible facility. Area organizations are encouraged to utilize Christ Lutheran’s expanded gathering spaces like the Nyman Center and Torgeson Hall, for meetings and to learn more about the warmth and fellowship enjoyed by church members.

Created in God’s image, we are called to celebrate our unity in Christ and live as His followers, with the light of Christ shining through us. We are the church, one church, Christ’s church  —generation to generation—with the beacon of light brightening our world.

We are part of the St. Paul Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Family Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation Ministry at Christ Lutheran Church provides opportunities for children, youth and adults to be both nurtured in individual spiritual growth and accepted and encouraged in Christian Community, outreach and discipleship. 

We believe strongly that parents/families are the primary models of faith and the church reinforces and nurtures spiritually mature young people in a ministry environment where they experience:

  • Individual faith development: discovering gifts and how God is calling them into service

  • Small Group faith development: A cohort model for young people and those who have similar passions and learning needs

  • Community faith development: Celebrating together in fellowship and worship the diversity of talents and gifts and our call to a common mission


Pastor Joel

Joel Martin began his call as senior pastor at Christ Lutheran in February of 2009. Previously he served for 12 years as pastor of Lord of the Valley Lutheran Church in Granby, Colorado and before that as a chaplain at Fairview-University (then Riverside) Medical Center in Minneapolis.

Joel is known for his skills at preaching and leading worship. His warm and upbeat personality emerges as he brings to worship an honest and hope-filled demeanor. His messages proceed on a foundation of Biblical scholarship and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of the community and congregation. In worship, Bible study, and in daily conversations, Joel is continually inviting the congregation to expand their understanding of what it means to intentionally live lives as followers of Christ.

Joel received his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and his Doctorate in Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.

Joel and his wife, Linda, live in Marine with their son and their daughter, both of whom attend elementary schools in the Stillwater district.


Pastor Nikki

nikki

 

My name is Nikki Fielder and I am Associate Pastor at Christ Lutheran in Marine on St. Croix.  I am delighted to  serve God in this place and look forward to the time and relationships we will share together in the coming years. My husband Scott and I recently completed the Masters of Divinity program at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and are anxious to get back into the heart of ministry in a community I know we will love. We are California natives, but with family roots in the Midwest, we are looking forward to staying in Minnesota and enjoying the land of Lutherans.  We are partners in everything, including our callings to ministry.  We both have deep commitments to nurturing faith in young people, camping ministry, and living authentic lives of faith.  With my call to Marine, Scott will be looking to serve as pastor of a congregation in the St. Paul Area Synod or a nearby area.  We have been nomads over the last several years of graduate school as our studies have drawn us to Minnesota to Luther Seminary, to North Dakota for Internship, and through transitions in various ministry settings we’ve been connected to.  We are excited to discover home in a new place and to let God do God’s thing in our lives.  I am energized by the fact that I will be able to put into practice all that I have learned as a student and to be immersed in Christian community again.  I am very much looking forward to building relationships with the people of Christ Lutheran and joining in a partnership with each of you as we learn and grow together continually exploring God’s call for us and for Christ Lutheran as a whole.

Ministry Staff

Family Faith Formation Ministry Manual

Learn more about Christ Lutherans' Family Faith Formation ministry offerings here.
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